Welcome to DBSTalk

Welcome to DBSTalk. Our community covers all aspects of video delivery solutions including: Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), Cable Television, and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). We also have forums to discuss popular television programs, home theater equipment, and internet streaming service providers. Members of our community include experts who can help you solve technical problems, industry professionals, company representatives, and novices who are here to learn.

Like most online communities you must register to view or post in our community. Sign-up is a free and simple process that requires minimal information. Be a part of our community by signing in or creating an account. The Digital Bit Stream starts here!

DIRECTV to Offer Local Channels in 172 Markets Including 16 New Markets in HDMore Than 97 Percent of U.S. TV Homes Will Have Access to Local Channels from DIRECTV; Roll Out of New Local Markets to Begin in June

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 17, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service, will begin the rollout of 16 new HD local-channel markets next month, providing more than 97 percent of U.S. TV households access to local channels by the end of this year. When the rollout is complete, DIRECTV will offer local channels in 172 markets, including local HD in 155 markets.

"The launch of national HD channels capture the headlines, but the ability to watch local news, weather and primetime programming in HD or SD, remains an important part of our customers' daily viewing," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. "And that's why we continue to expand our local channel service. Now more than 97 percent of TV homes in the U.S. will have access to DIRECTV local channels and a true alternative to other TV providers in their communities."

For customers who live within the designed area of each market, DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC - where available.

To receive DIRECTV's HD local programming, customers must have an H20 or HR20 DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR receiver or above, and a Ka/Ku band dish. More information on programming, pricing and equipment is available at directv.com.

With the launch of locals in these markets, DIRECTV is rolling out a special offer for customers who need to upgrade their equipment: The first receiver is free and all additional receivers are only $49, along with free standard professional installation. To upgrade, customers should call 1-800-DIRECTV no earlier than three weeks before their market's confirmed launch date.

Current DIRECTV HD customers will continue to pay only a $10 fee to access their HD programming, allowing them to see their local channels along with DIRECTV's premier lineup of national channels in HD that are tied to their particular base programming package.

Customers can visit directv.com to learn more about the full complement of DIRECTV's HD programming lineup including existing channels, new channels, details on equipment required for the new DIRECTV HD services and updates on when the new markets will launch. DIRECTV recently announced the addition of more than 30 new HD channels that will begin rolling out this month, bringing DIRECTV's total HD channel lineup to more than 160.

I have a question about locals. I live in the Sioux Falls, SD DMA but I can pick up the Sioux City locals via antenna (sometimes). My question is now that Sioux City is getting locals via DirecTV will I also be able to get those locals on the dish?

I'm a little surprised by the lack of higher-ranked DMAs in this announcement. It's good news for the cities listed (including Montgomery-Selma, Arkansas:rolleyes: ). But I would have expected to see at least a few out of Lansing, Eugene, Fargo, Lafayette, Salinas, Bakersfield, and Yakima.

In the third quarter, DIRECTV will launch Albany, Ga.; Columbus, Ga.; and Montgomery-Selma, Ark.

I know Columbus, GA is supposed to be coming in September/October. I REALLY hope Albany, GA is sooner, but I'm not hopeful.

For customers who live within the designed area of each market, DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC - where available.

It will be REALLY interesting to see what the LIL lineup for Albany, GA looks like!

With the launch of locals in these markets, DIRECTV is rolling out a special offer for customers who need to upgrade their equipment: The first receiver is free and all additional receivers are only $49, along with free standard professional installation. To upgrade, customers should call 1-800-DIRECTV no earlier than three weeks before their market's confirmed launch date.

Oh well. Monterey-area residents still will not be able to access HD LIL. I find this a bit surprising given two factors: almost all of the announced DMAs are smaller than Monterey-Salinas; several Peninsula communities have relatively-high average incomes which, in turn, likely translate into relatively-high outlays on DirecTV programming (or so I infer, at any rate).

Consequently, I will have to retain Comcast as an ancillary provider. My enthusiasm regarding this week’s HD additions is muted because Comcast already provides them, although I greatly am pleased others will be able to access Travel Channel HD etc.

Now, I will add...wasn't there some indication that D12 would enable DirecTV to add 19 markets? This is only 16. Also, you have to wonder if the attempted D10 fix will add needed capacity to bring one or two more markets online that wouldn't have otherwise come online.

Now, I will add...wasn't there some indication that D12 would enable DirecTV to add 19 markets? This is only 16. Also, you have to wonder if the attempted D10 fix will add needed capacity to bring one or two more markets online that wouldn't have otherwise come online.

That's an interesting thought...

Last week when scanning 103ca signals, I looked and the Spot Beams. I think i had 9 or 10 spot beam tps that were at least a 90 on the signal strength screen. I then cross-referenced the TP data the GCT puts in an excel spreadsheet, hoing to find an empty TP for my area. Unfortunately, all were being utilized by every market around me. I wonder if Lansing being small, and in the middle of Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, South Bend, Toledo, Chicago, Traverse City, Marquette, and Green Bay means they just run out of TPs and frequencies to use without interfering with all the other LiLs around us?

I guess my hope is that one of the SpaceWays can do a very narrow beam that will cover our DMA eventually...

I'm a little surprised by the lack of higher-ranked DMAs in this announcement. It's good news for the cities listed (including Montgomery-Selma, Arkansas:rolleyes: ). But I would have expected to see at least a few out of Lansing, Eugene, Fargo, Lafayette, Salinas, Bakersfield, and Yakima.

Being in Bakersfield I've been watching this closley and I have a theory. We were expecting HD LIL two years ago when Bakersfield actually showed in the list of coming markets. Then unexpectedly the name was dropped from the list. What happened at the same time? The issues with D10. This is probably affecting Bakersfied, Monterey-Salinas and Chico-Redding as a group.

Wow. 4th quarter for Sioux City locals. Satelliteracer had said that this was the year. Still won’t stop me trying for the waivers until then. I would so much rather have the Omaha DMA since I live in Nebraska and not Iowa. Does anyone ever get the neighboring local channels? And how would one ask for them?

MRV/DECA, D12 and now HD locals in Montgomery (from no Montgomery locals at all), all within one week? That is almost too much great news to handle for one market!

BTW, I still sympathize with you guys in the "tweens" 3%. I was beginning to think that we'd never get locals in Montgomery, because there were markets 50 or 60 places below us that had service long before we did. Hang in there! Hopefully D10's fix is going to expand their LIL list even more!